freediverx01
Level 1 (90 points)
Mac OS X

Q: iTunes Backups - How to start from scratch with new password?

I normally use iCloud for automated iOS backups. I periodically do a local backup to iTunes, but I just realized I've forgotten the password I previously used to encrypt these. I don't care about the old backups, but I need to reset the password before I create a new backup. I can't seem to find a way to do this, since disabling or changing the old password requires knowing that password. I've already deleted old iTunes backups without any effect.

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Aug 1, 2016 4:40 PM

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freediverx01

Q: iTunes Backups - How to start from scratch with new password?

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  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Aug 1, 2016 6:11 PM in response to freediverx01
    Level 10 (85,388 points)
    iPod
    Aug 1, 2016 6:11 PM in response to freediverx01

    See About encrypted backups in iTunes - Apple Support.

     

    Note the warning:

     

    There is no way to recover your information or turn off Encrypt Backup if you lose or forget the password.

     

    And further down:

     

    Turn off iTunes backup encryption

    To turn off iTunes backup encryption, enter the password and uncheck the Encrypted backup box in iTunes. Your encryption password is always required to turn off backup encryption.

    You can't use an encrypted backup if you don't have the password. If you forgot your password, the only way to turn off backup encryption on your device is to erase your device and set up as new. Erasing removes all data from your device. If you don't want to erase your device, restore from an iCloud backup instead.

     

    What isn't completely clear from these two is whether or not restoring from an iCloud backup leaves the device making encrypted backups thereafter or not.

     

    tt2